Two armed robbery suspects arrested in Livingston

LIVINGSTON — Two men were arrested Monday on suspicion of conspiracy and armed robbery.

Rudy Gamboa, 22, and Christian Manchacha, 18, were allegedly joined by three other men as they robbed a man at gunpoint, taking his wallet and marijuana before fleeing the scene, according to a news release from the Livingston Police Department.

Gamboa and Manchacha, who police say are both criminal street gang members, were identified by the victim, because he knew them, police said. Detectives obtained warrants for the suspects and they were arrested with help of the Atwater Police Department and the Merced County Sheriff’s SWAT team.

Both suspects were booked into the Merced County jail for the warrants, police said.

The arrests are part of an overall effort to reduce and eliminate criminal street gangs, according to the Livingston Police Department.